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For a long time it seems that 2D has not been the cool thing to do. Unless you're on a handheld with more limiting potential then it seemed strange for a developer to create a product that didn't push polygons around the screen outside of retro game compilations. Odin Sphere isn't just a title that shuns 3D worlds but a game that shows how 2D can be done well.

Before all that there is something that hits you, and that is the stunning visuals the game comes with. This isn't just that they are good (although there is that too) but rather the style of hand-drawn that works so well. The whole premise of Odin Sphere is that of a set of books retelling fairytales, and the imagery gives off the impressive picture book look that compliments the concept.

The graphics are amazing to look at. Each area of the game world is awash with vibrant watercolours that bestows a sense of richness befitting a fantasy tale of this type. Despite being in 2D each area also possesses a sense of depth as scenes...

If you were to ask the question "Hey, have you heard about Odin Sphere?" a few months ago, the answer you probably would've gotten is either "No" or "Odin Sphere? What's that?" Odin Sphere was probably one of the most anticipated games that were under the radar, and the most rabid fans of the RPG genre knew about the existence of this game months before it came out. Those months felt like years, but the game was finally released May 17 in Japan, and then 5 days later in the United States. So did the game live up to the hype? Yes.

The first thing you'll notice when you start Odin Sphere are the wonderful graphics. Each character and enemy are hand drawn, and whoever drew these characters deserves some kind of medal because these are some of the most beautiful graphics you'll see on the PS2. Just like the characters, the environments are also gorgeous and just pop out from the screen and some of the bosses are just huge and gorgeous. However, these environments are recycled over and ov...